Ever wondered how a beauty editor gets ready in the morning and a mum one at that?
Here’s how our Sarah Brooks-Wilson does a five-minute face and still looks pulled together. Photo: Trish Lee
Speedy dry hair
After your shower, rough dry hair with a towel and spritz in a volumising spray like De Lorenzo Elements Amplify Volumising Spray. If hair still feels wet, tip upside down and wrap in a towel to get rid of excess moisture.
Skin fix
Now is the time to lock in moisture, as your skin will be damp from the shower. Start by applying a hyaluronic acid-rich serum or if skin is super dry, apply a face oil massaging it into the skin. If you worry this will leave your skin feeling greasy, it won’t, especially now its cold your skin will drink it up. Try Edible Beauty Illuminating Face Oil. Next, moisturise with a CC cream in either your exact skin tone or half a shade darker to warm up and even out your complexion. You won’t need a foundation after this. Try Lancôme City Miracle CC Cream.
Cover up
Now is the time to hide those skin imperfections you dislike like dark circles, pimples or pigmentation. Go for a liquid formula as they blend easily into the skin and won’t look chalky. If a concealer is too thick, it will just highlight what you are trying to conceal and can make fine lines and wrinkles more prominent. Pat with your ring finger to blend. You’ll know when you’ve got the right shade because you won’t be able to see it and your skin will look instantly even. Charlotte Tilbury Miracle Eye Wand is a hot new favourite.
The quick contour
Not only does contouring warm up your skin, but also gives your face definition. The easiest and speediest way to do it is invest in a powder contouring kit with a face chart so you know where to put what. Take a medium-sized brush and with the darkest powder brush underneath your cheekbones, around your hairline, and the side of your nose and jawline. Then, dust the highlighting shade down the centre of your forehead, along the nose, top of cheekbones and chin. It’s amazing how much this quick technique brings your face back to life.
SHOP: Becca Beach Tint, $42
Add colour
Take a dual lip and cheek colour, smile and dot onto the fattest part of your cheeks with your middle finger, blending the colour as you go. Then use your ring finger and dab more onto your lips with a little lip balm over the top if your lips are super dry. Go for a shade that is the colour of lips, almost a pinky rose, as it’s the most flattering. Try Becca Beach Tint.
Eyelift
Not an everyday essential, but if you feel you look tired apply some black mascara. Smaller wands give a more natural daytime look. Clinique Naturally Glossy Mascara is a good one, as is the all time classic Maybelline Great Lash Mascara. Wiggle the wand from the inside root to the tip using a zigzag motion. Avoid the lower lashes, it’s too much for daytime.
Hair finish
Let down your damp hair and apply some non-silicone hair oil to the lengths to stop the frizz. Comb the front to the side, or blast the fringe (if you have one) with a dryer leaving the rest to dry naturally. Try Essano Argan Oil Hair Recovery Serum.